After nearly losing the clutch in Debbie's car on the way over we arrived in good time for check in.
The course we had run a few times before and our record was 1:55.
The rolling start caused Lee to get the jitters having not been in the front seat for a month or so, none the less after losing out on the start to a neighbouring pair of K2's who we knew to be much faster we got into our stride.
Portages were ok although I think Matt has them down to a "T" we overtook some slower and then not some slower boats.
Debbie was a welcome sight at Burghfield, two squares of flapjack stuffed in our mouths and we were off again, it was pretty hard to digest but I am sure it worked.
We came up behind John and Katherine from Reading just before Fobney and squeezed past them, encouraging words from Katherine and then Lee sat back in the mud on the put-in some helpful words from John about our rudder being in the mud and we pulled away again.
Shortly after the M4 bridge a faster Reading Junior K2 were on our tail, cat and mouse for the following five or so bends and then they showed the newbies (us) how it is done giving a few paddling tips as they sailed by.
We did keep them in our sights all the way to the finish though and Matt called the last 500m brilliantly, no grunting just driving every last knot out of the boat and us.......
We have just checked the web-site to find that we are third in class and absolutely over the moon, well done Matt who is still suffering from a cold.
1st was 1:43:23 2nd was 1:45:08 and we were 32 seconds behind them!! The new kids on the block are here to stay!
It was great to see Matt's family and Debbie at the finish I am sure this is going to make a huge difference to us on the event.
The sponsorship keeps rolling in thank you all it really spurs us on.
Lee and Matt
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